No Contest: Aryna Sabalenka is Belarus’s Athlete of the Year
Dubai: The “Battle of the Sexes”
One of the year’s curiosities was Sabalenka’s exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai. Despite Kyrgios being ranked outside the top 600 and barely prepared, he beat the world No. 1 in straight sets. The match underscored the physical gap between men’s and women’s tennis, but for Sabalenka it was just a sideshow — her real battles were still ahead.
Melbourne: Glory Slips Away
The Australian Open was supposed to be hers. Analysts predicted a third title, bookmakers made her the favorite, and history beckoned. But Madison Keys, ranked 14th, played the match of her life. Sabalenka’s early double faults gave Keys confidence, and in the end, the American’s composure sealed the upset.
The fallout was dramatic. Sabalenka smashed her racket, earning a $20,000 fine. Worse, a locker-room incident involving her team mocking the runner-up trophy — which she joined — sparked outrage online. Fans accused her of disrespect, some even calling for her suspension. Social media dubbed her “Uryna Sabalenka.” It was the season’s first scandal.
Miami & Madrid: Redemption in Style
From despair to dominance: Sabalenka roared back in Miami, winning her first WTA-1000 there without dropping a set. She beat three top-10 players in one tournament — a feat last achieved by Serena Williams.
In Madrid, she triumphed again, defeating Coco Gauff in the final. It was her third Madrid crown, equaling Petra Kvitová’s record. She also became the first woman since 2013 to win both Miami and Madrid in the same season.
Paris: Emotions Run Wild
Roland Garros brought both glory and grief. Sabalenka stunned clay queen Iga Świątek but faltered in the final against Gauff. Her frustration boiled over: errors, outbursts, even insults toward her team. Post-match, she dismissed Gauff’s performance, blaming wind and “magically precise” shots.
At the press conference, she joked about “drinking tequila and eating gummy bears” to cope, but also belittled Gauff. Fans and analysts condemned her remarks as unprofessional. Days later, she apologized — and Gauff accepted.
London: A Step Short
At Wimbledon, Sabalenka reached the semifinals but lost to Amanda Anisimova. For the world No. 1, it was a rare break in her streak of Grand Slam finals.
New York: Historic Triumph
Redemption came in New York. Sabalenka defended her US Open title, becoming a four-time Grand Slam champion. The $5 million prize was the largest ever for a single tennis title, pushing her annual earnings past $15 million — a record for women’s tennis.
By season’s end, she ranked second in all-time career earnings ($45 million), trailing only Serena Williams.
Riyadh: Riches and Records
Her runner-up finish at the WTA Finals in Riyadh added $2.7 million to her tally. By November, she had climbed to second place in the all-time prize money list, surpassing Świątek and Azarenka, with only Serena far ahead.
Straight Talk
“Changing citizenship is not part of my plans. I am proud to represent Belarus and inspire young people here. I want them to believe they can reach great heights too.”
Aryna Sabalenka’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster: breathtaking victories, historic records, and moments of raw emotion that divided fans. But through it all, she remained the face of Belarusian sport — fierce, flawed, and unforgettable.
A Season by the Numbers
- World No. 1 all year, over 70 weeks at the summit.
- Four WTA titles: Brisbane, Miami, Madrid, US Open.
- Five finals: Australian Open, Indian Wells, Stuttgart, Roland Garros, WTA Finals.
- 63 wins, 12 losses — an 84% success rate.
- Prize money record: $15,008,519 in a single season.
- 15 victories over top-10 rivals.
- WTA Player of the Year — for the second straight season.
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